Biosimilars Forum Applauds Approval of 10th Biosimilar in United States

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2018 – The Biosimilars Forum applauds the Food and Drug Administration for its approval of Retacrit® (epoetin alfa-epbx), a biosimilar used for the treatment of certain types of anemia. This marks the 10th biosimilar that has been approved in the United States, and the first in 2018. Retacrit® also represents the only biosimilar approved in the country that is an erythropoesis-stimulating agent (ESA), which stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells, needed to treat anemia.

“We welcome the Food and Drug Administration’s clear and ongoing commitment to building a vibrant biosimilars market in the United States,” said Juliana M. Reed, President of the Biosimilars Forum. “Biosimilars hold great promise for improving access to care and reducing costs for patients, physicians and the entire U.S. healthcare system. This approval marks yet another meaningful step toward achieving these goals and further diversifying innovative options available for treatment.

“The Biosimilars Forum looks forward to continuing to work with the FDA and stakeholders across the medical community to ensure patients nationwide are able to benefit from these groundbreaking treatments.”

About the Biosimilars Forum

The Biosimilars Forum is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance biosimilars in the United States with the intent of expanding access and availability of biological medicines, and improving health care. The founding members of the Biosimilars Forum represent the majority of companies with the most significant U.S. biosimilars development portfolios.